Le Mars Holds Memorial Day Ceremonies

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(Le Mars) -- All across the nation the sound of taps along with a gun salute could be heard as people took the time to honor veterans at local Memorial Day ceremonies. Here at Le Mars, Mother Nature cooperated long enough to offer a reprieve from the recent rains, and the American Legion Wasmer Post #241 started the day with the Memorial Day parade down Central Avenue and then held the "Avenue of Flags" ceremonies at the Plymouth County Courthouse. Steven Neal the Vice Commander of the Iowa American Legion offered the welcome and reminded those who gathered for the event as to why veterans are remembered on Memorial Day.

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A highlight during the Memorial Day program was Jim Rolfes of Le Mars as he recited a poem he had written a few years ago describing what a fallen veteran would be thinking once he had gone to heaven. Rolfes entitled the poem "Come visit My Grave."

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The pinnacle of the Le Mars Memorial Day ceremonies is the listing of all the veterans with a Plymouth County connection being read. With musical somber tunes being played by the Le Mars Municipal Band, Pat Murphy read the names of those 1181 veterans that are being honored with a flag posted on the courthouse grounds or surrounding area.

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This year, 22 more flags were dedicated as family members and American Legion members presented those flags.